NFA World: Students get glimpse of life on a working farm

Saturday

May 25, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 25, 2013 at 12:54 PM

As part of their service learning project, 14 environmental science students and their teacher, Heather Botelle, spent the weekend visiting the Heifer International working farm in Rutland, Mass. Students attended workshops about food distribution, gender equity, human populations and sustainable agriculture. By spending the night in Heifer’s global village, they experienced an evening, overnight and morning walking in the footsteps and viewing the world through the eyes of someone from a developing nation.

GEOFF SERRA

As part of their service learning project, 14 environmental science students and their teacher, Heather Botelle, spent the weekend visiting the Heifer International working farm in Rutland, Mass. Students attended workshops about food distribution, gender equity, human populations and sustainable agriculture. By spending the night in Heifer’s global village, they experienced an evening, overnight and morning walking in the footsteps and viewing the world through the eyes of someone from a developing nation.

Students used money from the developing country to purchase a small amount of produce that they cooked over an open fire and divided among their group as dinner. They slept in dwellings similar to those of an average person and discussed issues specific to a particular undeveloped nation. To deepen and personalize the experience, students were required to act in the best interest of their families in a challenging simulated decision-making scenario.

The morning brought yet another fire and more meal preparation and farm chores such as feeding, watering, milking and cleaning. The experience ended with a return to the main house for debriefing and discussion focusing on the difference between life at an international working farm and that of ordinary American teenagers.

Developing nations simulated for the students included Peru, Guatemala, Thailand and Tibet.

Business teacher Penny Walczyk’s Introduction to Business class has been in the “Shark Tank” for the past month. Inspired by the popular TV show, groups in the class have worked to invent a product, business or service and create a comprehensive business plan, including financial projections. Then, students pitch their project to “sharks” to persuade them to invest. Senior and student manager of the Cat Shack Samuel Smith, Ross Sward and Walczyk serve as the “sharks.”

From custom-designed Coca-Cola flavors and bottles marketed for special events to a smartphone app that allows users to order and pay from their seats at sporting and entertainment venues, students came forward with an amazing number of creative ventures. It was great real-world experience that gave students an understanding of the legwork required in a successful startup business.

Senior Joseph Paparelli has been selected to receive the NFA Outstanding High School Accounting Student Award, presented by the Connecticut Society of CPAs. He was also selected by CTCPA’s Educational Trust fund as one of 16 students statewide to receive the High School Accounting Scholarship. In June, Paparelli will receive his award and be honored at a reception at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

Upper Allison Grant has been chosen as a student leader to represent Norwich Free Academy at the annual Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Student Leader Scholarship Breakfast planned for June 7 at the Holiday Inn Norwich. In recognition of her leadership, Grant will receive a scholarship prize of $200 and will speak about the importance of leadership in the community. A recently inducted member of the National Honor Society, Grant has distinguished herself on campus as a tireless and generous volunteer and Project Outreach coordinator.

Although conventionally a male, NFA’s Varsity N Club’s Butler for a Day program has gone co-ed. The group has been selling tickets on campus to faculty and staff interested in having the services of a “personal butler” for a day to run errands on campus, pack and move books, clean classrooms, carry backpacks, deliver lunch or perform any other “housekeeping” chores for teachers. Winners will be chosen on May 28 for service on May 29. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Norwich branch of the Salvation Army. Offering their services as butlers are seniors Ryer Caruso, Alexa Franchetti, Megan Gada, Nicholas Kamireddy, Brianna Lenehan, Kyle Liang, Connor McMahon, Dyshelle Pemberton, Sydney Phelps, Jeremy Rivera, Preston Spicer and Ellie Swanson.

Seniors begin final examinations prior to underclassmen. Senior D channel exams take place during a special double period on June 11, and senior G and C channel exams during double periods on June 12. On both days for both seniors and underclassmen, classes will take place throughout the rest of the day. Seniors have E and F channel exams on June 13 with a noon release for all students. June 13 is the final class day for underclassmen. On June 14, all students have A and B channel exams with a noon release.

The following week, underclassmen continue exams with C and D on June 17, E and F on June 18, and G and makeups on June 19. All are early dismissal days. That week for seniors includes the Senior Breakfast on Monday, mandatory graduation rehearsal at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Athletic Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Class Night/Academic Awards at 6 p.m. Thursday and graduation at 4 p.m., Friday. Find the whole schedule – dates, times, and places — on the website under Current Students or Parents.

Final thought: Charles Darwin says, “It’s not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but those most responsive to change.”

Geoff Serra is English department head and director of communications at NFA. Reach him at serrag@nfaschool.org. Follow NFA on Twitter at @nfaschool or on Facebook atfacebook.com/nfaschool.